The New Black Fest at The Lark

A week-long event showcasing diverse and provocative work in a festival of Black theater artists from throughout the Diaspora, The New Black Fest at The Lark 2017 will feature four new plays in process, as well as the annual Kick-Off panel!

The theme of this year’s festival, “Black Sustainability,” was conceived by Keith Josef Adkins, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of The New Black Fest, as an exploration for an answer to the question, “What does it take for a group of people, or an individual, to wake up every day and seek out normalcy while also pushing against legislative and social oppression?”

All readings will be followed by a talk back and reception.

SCHEDULE

April 3, 2017 @ 7:00PM

Featuring Yvette Carnell (journalist and Founder of BreakingBrown), Tressie McMillan Cottom Ph.D (writer, researcher, and Assistant Professor of Sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University), Duarte Geraldino (journalist and former Wall Street corporate finance analyst), Dr. R. L’Heureux Lewis-McCoy (Associate Professor of Sociology in Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership and the Black Studies Program at the City College of New York), and Dorian T. Warren (President, Center for Community Change Action).

April 4, 2017 @ 7:00PM

Artney Jackson is a 25-year veteran of the Cable Company in Las Vegas, Nevada. When his supervisor resigns, Artney finally has his shot at the position, but a conflict with his adult, schizophrenic son risks Artney succumbing to his fears, and may ruin the opportunity to rise up.

April 5, 2017 @ 7:00PM

Chiron’s Homegurl Healer Howls is Black Girl magic from bud to full bloom. It weaves monologue and poetry to tell the story of how a wounded teenage loud mouth girl, Keisha, unaware of her power and magic, slowly discovers her inner mystic through a series of awakenings and steps into her ancient futuristic wizard, Merlina. All the while Chiron, the overarching spirit is guiding the journey. The Street Chorus, Chiron’s magical posse, helps tell the story through transitional songs and musical testimonies.

April 6, 2017 @ 7:00PM

With America in turmoil over racial tensions and an uncertain future, a fiery Congresswoman seeks to bring justice and equality for African Americans. But as tensions grow, a mysterious organization emerges claiming they have the ultimate solution for Black people: Return to Africa. Now she must choose which battle she will fight: the side of American equality or the side of total Liberation.

April 7, 2017 @ 7:00PM

Is an Origin story of the Goddess Nike and
a retelling of the Olympus myth
Black Greek Super hero style

The New Black Fest is supported in part by a special grant from the Ford Foundation.

Additional support provided through grants to The Lark from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.